Dorothy Genell Powell Young Roberts celebrated 100 years of life on March 19, 2021, and on September 26, 2021, she celebrated her heavenly homecoming. A graveside service will be held for Mrs. Roberts at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at Unity Baptist Church in Henager, Alabama, where she will be laid to rest.
Dorothy Roberts was born March 19, 1921, on Sand Mountain in Alabama after her father, JD Powell, rode his mule five miles to get the doctor. Four years later, Mrs. Roberts’ mother, Flacy Dickson Powell, gave her a treasured sister, Mayzell.
Mrs. Roberts was raised on a small farm where her father made a living with one mule. The dirt yard was kept neat with dogwood brush brooms. A gallon of oil for ten cents would last for weeks in their oil lamp. Mrs. Roberts began mastering the art of sewing with her mother’s guidance and she loved opossum hunting with her father who sold the furs to Sears, Roebuck and Company. Her favorite memories included making snow cream and getting a piece of peppermint for Christmas. Mrs. Roberts learned the importance of faith in God and of hard work at a young age. When her father passed away and her mother was ill, she was solely responsible for supporting her family at age 14.
At age 16, Mrs. Roberts married Ollie Young. Together, they grew cotton and raised two wonderful children, Carolyn and Sammy. They were excited to finally have electricity and running water and to retire a steel-tired wagon for a rubber-tired wagon and then eventually for an old pickup truck. Unfortunately, Mrs. Roberts’ husband passed away when she was only 43. She was faced with the task of managing 3,500 laying hens and 600 roosters and meeting her contractual obligations all alone. She successfully ran the chicken house for years, even winning awards. Mrs. Roberts later became an auditor for a Buster Brown Children’s Factory where she excelled, but she left when she married a special man, Dick Roberts, in 1980. They had an adventurous, loving relationship – wintering in Florida and traveling all over the United States with their camper. Between travels, Mrs. Roberts was active in church and was busy quilting on the handmade quilting frame that her husband made for her. While an expert quilter, she also crocheted, knitted and could do any type of sewing imaginable. In addition, her cooking was legendary amongst family and friend who would look forward to sitting at her table at every possible opportunity.
When she lost her husband, Mrs. Roberts moved to Tifton, Georgia in 1999 to be close to her treasured daughter, Carolyn Sutton, and other family. Being very self-sufficient, she lived alone in her home until almost 97 years of age. During that time, she enjoyed worshiping at her church, visiting with family and neighbors on her front porch, doing all types of handwork, cooking and making her yard beautiful. Mrs. Roberts’ family and friends enjoyed her eye-catching yard and flowers – especially her huge, red front porch geraniums. She lived her final years at Legacy Village of Tifton’s assisted living facility where she enjoyed arts and crafts, gospel music, games with friends, visits from family and regular worship.
Carolyn Sutton and Sammy Young, Mrs. Roberts’ children, along with five grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren and a special niece are left with an amazing legacy … she gave her family unforgettable memories of her faith in God, exceptionally delicious cooking, amazing handwork, positive outlook, humor and especially her love.
We know that the Lord welcomed her home and said, “Well done, My good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:23).